A Younger-Looking You in a 5-Step Morning Skincare Routine

Believe it or not it doesn't take all the lotions and potions to get your skin to a healthier appearance. As a matter of fact, I'm here to help you achieve a younger-looking you in a 5-step morning skincare routine. Follow these 5 steps for the next 3 months consistently and I have no doubt that you will be looking at a more youthful reflection in the mirror on day 90!

1. Use a Gentle Cleanser

Start your day by cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser that won't strip your skin barrier of its natural oils. You want to keep moisture in your skin, not take it out first thing in the morning when most of us are dehydrated from not drinking any water for 8 hours while we slept. Ok, less because we're up too late watching our favorite show, but you get the idea. Skip the exfoliating cleanser and go for something more soothing to your skin.

2. Use a Vitamin C Serum

Your skin will love you if you add a vitamin C serum to your daily routine. Vitamin C serum not only helps improve your skin tone by fading sunspots and other dark spots on the skin, but it has also been shown to produce other anti-aging effects by protecting and increasing your skin's collagen production.

3. Moisturize

We all know we need a moisturizer (yes, even those with oily skin type), but picking the right kind is key to keeping your skin hydrated and happy throughout the day and leaving you looking more youthful. Choose a moisturizer with peptides in it to stimulate collagen production. This helps with fine lines and loss of firmness that we all experience as we age. Choosing a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid will help with dryness by drawing more water to the surface layer of your skin.

4. Use an Eye Cream

Eye cream can help with dry spots around the eyes, which becomes more common as we approach our 50s and beyond. If using eye cream at night also, be sure to make it your last step after applying moisturizer.

5. Sunscreen

You didn't actually think I would have a skincare routine that didn't include sunscreen, did you? The importance of using sunscreen/SPF can't be overstated. This product should be applied beyond just the face, to the ears, neck, chest, and hands to protect you from UVA/UVB rays that cause premature aging and worst of all, skin cancer. Be sure to use the correct amount. Apply it to the length of 2 fingers and use one for each side of your face. Reapply it throughout the day, more if you are spending your day outdoors. A general rule to reapply every 2-3 hours is a good idea.